DIY crafts made from wicker. Cut out the back legs. Benefits of wicker furniture

10.10.2019

Surely every home has at least a small basket woven from wicker. Our grandmothers still go to the market with these to this day, and most parishioners do not carry Easter eggs in them. The cost of such a basket is quite high and quite justified: the vine must be found correctly, and then woven by hand. The technique of weaving with wicker is not such a difficult matter, but it may well become your hobby.

Where can I get vines for weaving?

Your task is to find the right tree, the desired period of the year, properly prepare the collected twigs. The most suitable period for collection is from July to August, when the sap begins to slow down its flow through the branches. In principle, all types of willow behave equally well, with the exception of brittle.

Typically, the place where you can get vines for weaving is located in a suburban area near water. If you live in an industrial city or you definitely won’t find willow nearby, hazel, roots of trees and even some shrubs, and also bast with chopped bamboo will do just fine.

The wicker weaving technique involves processing the collected material as the first stage. If you collect it at the right time, peeling the bark and splitting it will be very easy. They also use the revival method, where they place the twigs with their wide ends in water for a couple of weeks and wait for green sprouts to appear. If necessary, the twigs are steamed and made as pliable as possible.

Types of wicker weaving

There are several options for weaving from willow vines:

solid(the twig completely fills the base with a continuous layer and there are no gaps or openwork details, used for household baskets);
openwork(light airy weaving with a large number of empty spaces, this option is suitable for decorative vases or bread bins, the most flexible material is needed here);
twisted(the branches are immediately woven and twisted together; it is usually used to decorate furniture);
figured(when the product has a somewhat free fantasy shape).

Weaving a box from a wicker

If we talk about wicker weaving for beginners, then it is best to get acquainted with the box:

Let's start from the bottom. The outermost bases will be made of pine slats, all installed in a plank to ensure a smooth edge.

We begin weaving with rope. Fold the thin rod in half and braid the base step by step.

Each time we add a long rod and make double posts.

For those interested in wicker weaving for beginners, it is important to remember one rule. As you work, you will have to build up the twig, here we work according to the following scheme: you should always build up butt to butt or top to top, and be sure to make an additional turn on the outer posts every three rows.

We do extensions only on the outside of the weave.

We will finish the bottom again by weaving a rope into two twigs.

We got the bottom and prepared the rods for the racks.

The base for the box is a rigid frame made of pine sticks with a round cross-section. The better you assemble the frame on nails, the smoother and neater the final appearance of the box will be.
We will decorate each corner element and at the same time strengthen it with the so-called gloss tape.
We drive in a nail to start work and gradually begin to wrap around each of the three bases, tucking the end.
The first part of the work is completed.
And now on the wet bottom we use an awl to make holes for the twigs and insert them.

Next, we lift each rod onto the top crossbar and twist it around it.

Wicker weaving has been known since ancient times, even when our ancestors made bast shoes. Over time, people began to weave containers and household items of various kinds and purposes (boxes, baskets, cradles, etc.). Now, wicker weaving allows you to create unique and unusual decorative elements, and household items have simply diversified their arsenal and style.

Christmas wreath

Necessary materials:

grapevine (you can use any grape plant, both wild and cultivated), you will need about 10 grapevine sticks, 0.5 cm in diameter and about 2 meters in length (the number of vine sticks depends on the desired thickness of the future wreath);
glue gun;
natural materials for decoration (cones, Christmas tree branches, acorns, berries);
decorative materials (burlap, balls, bows, beads, money, boxes).

Weaving is best done from freshly cut vines. If the vine has dried out, you can moisten it and it will again acquire the necessary moisture and elasticity.

The procedure for weaving a Christmas wreath:

Take one vine stick and roll it into a ring as shown in the picture.

With the second stick you need to braid the previously formed ring around it.

At the beginning and at the end of the action, the edges of the working vine must be secured between the rods of the first row of weaving.

During the weaving process, the vine tends to break; in this case, at the break point, you need to cut off the twig and tuck the end between the previously woven rows.

To ensure the accuracy of the finished product, you need to ensure that all the rods during the weaving process lie in the same direction.

The finished vine ring can be left without decoration, as a talisman, or it can be decorated.

Using a glue gun, you need to glue all the previously prepared decorative elements to the vine ring.

You can fill the wreath with twigs and cones using your own imagination.

You can add various kinds of bows and even artificial snow to the wreath.

Weaving a decorative braid

This example will be made along the contour of a plywood board with rounded corners.

Necessary materials:

plywood board with rounded corners;
nail;
hammer;
pencil;
drill and drill depending on the thickness of the vine rods;
nippers or pruning shears;
vine.

First you need to take a plywood board and mark future holes on the sides with a pencil for inserting vine rods, leaving about 3 centimeters between the marks.

Use a nail and hammer to make small indentations on the marks. Use a drill to drill holes about 2 centimeters.

It is best to use the rods when they are wet, as they are more flexible, so insert the rods into the holes as needed during the weaving process.

Insert rods about 30 centimeters long into the holes.

You need to start braiding from left to right from the place where three paired holes are drilled one after another. From three places we will have four rods of vine coming out.

For convenience, we will call these rod structures “strands.”

Take a separate stick and bend the middle strand through it, using the tips from the picture.

Take the first strand of twigs and lead it behind the third, over the second.

Bend the third strand over the first strand tied behind it.

We take the second strand of four rods and wrap it behind a strand of two rods over the third strand, which also consists of four.

We bend a pair of strands of rods.

We attach four rods from the first to the already bent paired strand. We have six rods in one plane. Further, the upper waves of the braid will consist of four rods, and the lower waves of six.

Place the third strand of four strands behind the next paired strand.

Bend a pair of strands of twigs.

Attach four rods from the second strand to the already bent paired strand.

In the fourth strand we have already formed six rods. We take only four of them and wind the next pair of strands behind the four rods.

We bend a pair of twigs by attaching four twigs to it. This creates a wave of six rods.

Repeat the step in which you need to take four rods out of six.

Continue weaving in a circle until the end and beginning of the weave meet.

Take four of the six rods in the top wave and wrap them behind the first strand.

The last time you need to wind the next four rods out of six, behind the strand from which the braiding began (the strand that was first bent through the auxiliary stick).

Weave the bottom wave with the remaining rods and add, in order, four rods and two more to each woven section. And cut off the two unused rods at the end of the entire weaving.

Also, at the end, you need to cut off all protruding rods only carefully so as not to spoil the leading ones.

Basket weaving

For weaving you will need a willow vine, but not all vines are equally good for this work; some types may break when working with it. To check if the vine is suitable for the job, bend it 90 degrees, if it does not break, then it is suitable. The vine must be dried before working with it.

However, before the process, the dry vine must be moistened to make it easier to work with. The period of soaking the vine depends on its length; the longer the vine, the longer it needs to be soaked.

In addition to the vine itself, you will need:

scissors;
pruner;
a long nail or sharp stick.

The initial stage is creating a base for the basket. Make eight sections of fairly thick vine. For a basket of the same size as in the master class, segments about 30 centimeters long are sufficient.

Take four pieces and make a cut about 5 centimeters long in the center of each of them.

Insert the uncut pieces into the cut ones in the middle to create a cross shape.

Now examine the sections of rods and select the thinnest ones, as well as the longest. These are the best ones to start weaving with. Take two pieces and insert the thin ends into the slits as shown in the picture.

To start making the basket we will use the Twist weave. It's actually quite simple technique, but it may not give you the first try if you have never encountered it before. It consists of the following: you need to hold two twigs, and then twist them one above the other so that they change places. Each twist is always done in the same direction. To better understand the technique, look at the pictures.

Wrap four sections each time, make two rows. This will help secure the base of the basket. Try to pull the twigs as tightly as possible and place them as close to each other as possible.

After you complete two rows using the same twisting technique, you need to wrap the rods separately on each section.

Separate the segments from each other by tilting them. Make the distance between the segments as even as possible. Once you have completed this row, your twigs should be distributed like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Make a few more rows.

Soon your braiding sections will become too short and you will need to lengthen them to continue working. It's best not to add two vines at the same time as this can make the weave weak. To understand how to do this, see the figure.

The end of the new segment must be inserted between the last two rows and then folded over. After this, cut off the old vine and continue weaving the basket. When adding new twigs, connect the thick end to the thick end and the thin end to the thin one.

Once you've made the base for the basket, insert another vine to the 16 you have in the base (just sharpen the end of the vine and insert it into the last two rows). You will have to apply some force, if necessary, you can widen the distance between the braided rows to make the piece easier to insert.

Cut off the twigs with which you weaved earlier, and continue weaving with only one inserted (above the twig, under the twig, and so on). You can add new twigs by simply tying the new one to the old one. Continue weaving until the base reaches the diameter you need. IN in this case base - 20 centimeters.

Now take pieces of medium-thick vine. You need to create the sides of the basket. Sharpen the thick end of each of them. Insert these pieces next to each of the “spokes”. Cut off the ends of the old knitting needles at warp level.

One of the new twigs, bend it to the left under the two adjacent ones, and then bend it up, as shown in the picture. Repeat in the same way with the remaining twigs. After this, take all the twigs into a bundle and tie them.

Now insert three twigs to the left of the three twigs at the base of the sides. Take the one on the far left, fold it to the right behind the two adjacent ones and in front of the third, then turning it outward. Continue in the same way and make two rows, then untie the twigs.

Count the number of twigs, take the same amount. Insert a twig to the right of each knitting needle at the base, tilting it to the left and wrapping it behind the adjacent knitting needle and in front of the third, and then bring the twig out again.

When you insert required amount, you can start weaving. Weave until the sections become short.

All that remains is to make the headband. To create it, take one of the twigs and bend it to the right.

Take it by two adjacent twigs, in front of the third and fourth, then by the fifth and take it outside.

Repeat in the same way with each of the twigs. Finally, cut off any excess length.

Wicker weaving is probably the most ancient of crafts. It appeared even before pottery and related, to a greater extent, to the everyday needs of humans. Houses, utility structures, fences, cradles and toys for children, cart and sleigh bodies, boxes and kitchen utensils. But the ideal material from which to weave a basket was willow twigs. They are very flexible and great for this type of creativity.

History of the craft

Willow weaving was common in Rus'. There was no peasant who could weave baskets. There were also master basket makers who were engaged in weaving professionally. They wove a wide variety of products: round and oval, rectangular and conical, with complex - simple weaving, large and small. In those days it was simply impossible to do without baskets. Women in them carried clothes to rinse to the river, took food on the road, harvested crops, and went to pick mushrooms and berries.

IN modern world wicker baskets are also popular. It's hard to imagine a mushroom picker without a basket. Branches weeping willow contain tannins, thanks to which the mushrooms do not spoil longer, and the spaces between the rods promote air ventilation.

If you have even the slightest idea and a little skill, then easy to learn weaving from willow. For beginners, step-by-step study and independent repetition of all stages of weaving products will bring a lot of positive emotions.

Selection of materials for weaving

The main advantage of basket weaving is the availability of consumables. Willow is a common unpretentious tree found in many regions of Russia. Usually craftsmen procure raw materials themselves. Some people grow willow in their garden. And in individual stores you can even buy materials ready for weaving.

Willow twigs growing on sandy and loamy soil are best suited for wicker weaving. The shoots are cut using pruning shears or a sharp knife, choosing the longest ones without branches. Cut at a slight angle, leaving a few buds so as not to harm the plant.

Shoots with a wide and loose core are not suitable for weaving; it should be small in size. Young shoots are usually used.

To check whether the plant is suitable for work, you need to cut the branch and bend it 180 degrees at the butt - if it is cracked, it is not suitable (which means it will break during weaving); if not, then you can safely proceed to further processing.

Time of year for harvesting and processing rods

Rods for weaving are prepared all year round, but preferably in early spring and late autumn. The bark of spring shoots can be removed very easily without additional processing. Twigs collected in another season need to be soaked or evaporated.

To soak, the shoots are dipped into running water - a river or stream, having previously been secured to the shore with a rope so that they do not get carried away by the current. You can use it in a trough or barrel, but in this case a daily change of water is required. Tied bunches with shoots are immersed in the bottom, and a load is placed on top (a stone or any other heavy object except iron) and leave for 1–2 weeks.

To reduce processing time from several weeks to several hours instead of soaking the rods are evaporated in any of two ways:

The shoots are placed in a tank, rolled up around the perimeter, filled with water and put on fire. After boiling, cook for 1–2 hours. Then take it out, let it cool and begin removing the bark.
The vine is no longer flooded cold water, and boiling water, bring to a boil and cook for 20–30 minutes. Take it out, cool it and remove the bark.

It is better to clean the rods raw, starting from the butt (root part). During cleaning, to prevent the material from drying out, it is better to leave it in water and remove it in small bunches. After the willow has been debarked, to finish the job, it must be laid out in the sun until completely dry. For ease of use, the rods are sorted and folded into bundles of equal size.

Barked rods are divided into two types - those prepared in the spring and those obtained by digestion. Boiled during use, they acquire a bright, glossy appearance, are easy to clean, and become better each time. Uncooked ones, on the contrary, darken over time, acquiring a nondescript appearance.

Weaving tools

Making a basket from willow is more difficult than making it from newspaper tubes, but the principle of operation is the same. Natural material is more brittle and less pliable. Willow weaving is not that difficult for beginners. By repeating all the steps step by step and collecting a set of tools, you can achieve good results. For work you will need:

pruner;
sharp knife;
large scissors;
utensils for soaking or boiling rods;
pliers;
clothespins;
tweezers;
Ruler and pencil;
drill;
jigsaw;
water-based stain and varnish;
tassels.

These tools are useful not only in making baskets, but also more massive products - such as a rocking chair, table, flowerpot, fence, and so on.

Basket making method

To understand how to weave a willow basket for beginners, you first need to delve into and study the lessons, patterns and techniques for making them. After preparing the tools and materials, when the rods are soaked or evaporated, debarked and dried, the most interesting stage begins - weaving. First of all, the bottom is woven, then the sides and lastly the handle.

Formation of the bottom

To properly weave the bottom with your own hands, you need to prepare 8 twigs (knitting needles) of medium thickness (Fig. 1). They are divided in half - four are left untouched, and in the other four a gap is made in the middle of each (Fig. 2). Then rods are inserted into the cracks in the form of a cross (Fig. 3). Next, two more thin rods are inserted into the same slots and wrapped around the base in two rows (Fig. 4 and 5). Then the knitting needles are spread apart and wrapped around each one separately (Fig. 6).

Every time a rod comes to an end, it needs to be extended by another. You should not extend both rods at once; it is better to do it one at a time. To do this, the end of the rod is sharpened and inserted into the hole between the last two rows, it is bent and weaving continues, and the end of the old rod is cut off.

Weaving is continued in two more rows (Fig. 7). This is where the twisted weaving method ends and continues with the usual one - bypassing the knitting needle inside and outside (Fig. 8). In this case it is necessary odd number knitting needles, for this you need to insert an additional rod into the weaving.

Manufacturing of walls

Having reached the desired diameter of the bottom, you finish the first stage, the next one begins - the transition to the walls. To do this, you will need medium-diameter willow shoots, which are called racks. Each of them must be pointed at the end and inserted between the knitting needles (Fig. 9). Old rods are cut with a knife at the base. Now they take one stand and hook it behind the other two, after which they bend it upward (Fig. 10). Do the same with all the other racks (Fig. 11). The racks are braided in several rows, then in the usual way (Fig. 12 and 13).

When the height of the basket has reached the desired size, you need to take one stand and bend it down, placing it behind the other two (Fig. 14). The same must be done with the following racks, removing the ends inward and pushing them outward (Fig. 15). Then the protruding ends are cut with scissors at the base (Fig. 16).

Handle weaving

Remained final stage- make a handle. For this you will need thick willow shoot, which is cut to size. The ends are sharpened and stuck into opposite sides of the product (Fig. 17 and 18). Next, take 4-5 rods and stick them into the weaving at the end of the handle (Fig. 19). They are braided several times and threaded into the weave from the other end. Then they take a few more shoots and do the same thing (Fig. 20 and 21). Another rod is stuck nearby and braided around the handle at the base, tightening it with a knot (Fig. 22 and 23). The end is cut with a knife (Fig. 24). The cart is ready!

Over time, you can learn to braid braids and ropes in two or three rows with more complex weaving, for example, openwork. Sometimes, for the convenience of making wickerwork, wooden templates of round or square shape are made, which greatly facilitate the work.

Simple and at the same time charming baskets made of willow twigs- This is an ultra-fashionable trend. They have an impressive history and were once quite a common item in the household. Now weaving willow baskets has been brought to the level of art. They can be very diverse different forms, sizes and colors. Handmade It’s not cheap, so why not try to make yourself such a colorful and bright not only decorative element, but also a convenient container for collecting mushrooms, berries, fruits, etc.

Material and tools

The technology for procuring raw materials remains the same. Modern craftsmen still use annual willow twigs of any type that grow in our country. Procurement of material can be carried out almost all year round, but ideally we recommend doing this in early spring or late autumn. Weaving willow baskets involves choosing long and straight, even shoots that have healthy wood, without knots and various growths. The thickness of the base of the rod should not be more than 1-1.2 cm. For simple baskets used on the farm, you don’t have to remove the bark, but if you plan to use it for decorative purposes, then this must be done.

The tools you will need are pruning shears and a sharp knife, pinches and splitters, and an awl.

Growing willow

Experienced craftsmen know that in order to create a beautiful product, you need to put in some effort. To obtain suitable material, they independently grow cultivated willow. To do this, prepared cuttings in early spring (immediately after the snow melts and the ground thaws) are planted in small ravines or lowlands with high humidity. Their length should be about 25 cm. If you plan to weave baskets from willow twigs as a long-term activity, rather than a one-time activity, we recommend using this method. Stick the cuttings into the ground at an angle of 45 degrees by 2/3 of the length at a distance of 50-70 cm from each other. If the outcome is favorable, within three years you will receive even twigs up to 2-2.6 m long. For work, cut them either in May before the flowering period, or in August, when fresh shoots grow. Up to 20 of them can form on one plant per season; leave 6-8 strong branches before winter.

Processing willow twigs

Weaving baskets from willow and wicker requires a certain preparation of the source material. The bark must be removed immediately from freshly cut shoots. If you did not do this on time, then the dried rods will have to be pre-moistened with water. Dry the peeled blanks for 5-6 days in the open air, but not in the sun, in the shade.

If you do not plan to use the material immediately, then there is no point in soaking it; the branches may turn black and deteriorate. They are dried and then stored in large bunches in a well-ventilated area. If necessary, the branches are soaked (but no more than a day), and as soon as they become elastic, they are wrapped in a damp cloth and removed from there as needed.

Autumn material procurement

In this case, you will need to soak the rods for 3-4 hours and then steam them. Then they should be cooled in water and the bark should be carefully removed using a pincer (special device). Sometimes weaving a willow basket is done using so-called ribbons, that is, rods split into 24 pieces. This technology will require some skill, and not everything will work out the first time. Use a special device - a splitter. You can make it yourself from hard wood or buy a metal or plastic one at the store. In order to split one rod into 4 parts, you need to make a cross-shaped cut and insert the wedge-shaped part of the splitter into it. As the tool moves deeper, the wood begins to separate.

Weaving willow baskets: how to make a flat bottom?

These models are intended mainly for collecting fruits, vegetables, berries, and mushrooms. In addition, you can use them for a picnic or put a vase of flowers inside. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

The bottom begins to weave first. To do this, take eight branches of medium thickness. In four of them, make a slit in the middle with a knife and insert the remaining rods into it, as in the second photo.
Carefully braid the resulting cross with two thin twigs. After you make 2-3 turns, separate the branches. You will get something like a sun with 16 rays. Weaving willow baskets for beginners seems quite complicated, but if you learn the technology once, you will not have any difficulties in the future.
Next, braid each twig separately, try to place them at the same distance from each other. Make several rows. When the branches begin to run out, you will need to increase them further. You shouldn’t add two new twigs at the same time; it’s better to do it one at a time. Insert the new twig with its pointed end into the last two rows of the braid, as in the third photo (indicated by the arrow), and the old one can be cut off. Then weave two more rows using the twisted method, and then you can use the regular method. It consists of twisting a rod around the knitting needles from the outside and from the inside alternately.
In total you have 16 rays, and this is not very convenient, so we recommend inserting the seventeenth. To do this, use an awl to place it between the rods of the last few rows and continue working until you get the bottom of the desired diameter. Weaving a willow basket with your own hands is a rather painstaking task that requires attentiveness and accuracy.

Moving to the walls

In order for the basket to have sides, you will need 17 even and not too thin rods. Sharpen the thick base with a knife. Place each rod in the weave along all the knitting needles. If you pay attention to the branches, you will notice that they are slightly curved, so place them with the concave side down.

Cut off the ends of the old rods with pruning shears right at the base. Next, take a new knitting needle, bend it to the left, pass it under two adjacent rods and bend it upward. Do this manipulation with all branches. Further weaving of willow baskets (photos of the process are presented in the article) is more understandable. Tie all the knitting needles from above into a bun - this will make the work easier.

Weaving walls

We recommend forming the walls using three rods, this way you will achieve a more beautiful base. To do this, place them along the knitting needles located next to each other (photo below). Take the left rod and carefully bend it into right side in front of two adjacent branches and lead behind the third, and then return forward. Repeat the same procedure with the remaining two. When you get two even and beautiful rows, you can untie the top bun. Further weaving of the willow basket with your own hands continues in a simple way. In this case, in the photo you see a French welt. It allows you to get a beautiful relief surface and at the same time does not cause difficulties even for beginners.

For each of the knitting needles you will need to add one more rod. Select approximately identical branches of the same length. Add them one at a time, ensuring that the direction of their growth goes along the left arm. Place the butt end of the rod behind the knitting needle, then bring it forward and place it behind the next one, as shown in the photo. Place the next willow twig behind the knitting needle on the right and continue adding new ones in the same order until the entire basket is woven.

Further actions consist of normal knitting. Start with any twig, braid it into left side according to the same pattern: forward-backward-forward. Next, take the right branch and use the same method around the entire circumference. You can extend the basket using a French welt to the height you require.

How to weave an edge?

When the required dimensions of the basket have been achieved, a completely reasonable question arises about how to complete this work and how. There are a variety of methods and it is even possible that you will invent your own. This willow basket weaving involves the following completion method. Select one of the knitting needles and bend it down to the right, placing it behind the next two standing rods, then bring it out in front of the next pair and again behind one, first back and then forward. Repeat all this with the remaining racks. Carefully trim the ends of the branches inside baskets. And now you have already received the finished product.

Making a handle

In order to do it, you will need a little more time and effort. For the main part of the basket handle, use a thick, flexible branch. First bend it and measure what size handle you need, cut off the excess. Sharpen the rod at the ends and insert it on opposite sides between the individual rods of the knitting. Next, prepare thin willow shoots, 4-5 pieces each. from each side. Insert them into the gaps near the ends of the handle. Wrap the twigs around a thick branch several times and thread the edges of the basket under the weaving. Bring them out and pull them up, and insert a thin twig next to it and wrap it around the braid of the handle, and carefully hide the ends, as shown in the figure.

This stage completes the weaving of willow baskets. It’s not all that difficult and anyone can do it with enough effort.

Spherical basket: how to weave?

It is based on a special frame consisting of a pair of round hoops. Thick steamed willow twigs are bent on some base shaped like a sphere; when they dry, they retain this shape. The circles are located perpendicular to each other. The horizontal hoop is fastened with a mustache and a thin willow twig. It is split from opposite sides with a knife. A vertical hoop is inserted into the resulting cracks at a right angle and secured with a mustache. The braid is made with strips of rods divided in two. Work begins from the place where the hoops intersect. The pattern of weaving baskets from this type of willow is somewhat different, but the principles are the same.

Pay attention to the first photo, it will help you get started correctly. After 4-5 rows of tape are laid at the intersection of the hoops, its ends need to be secured. Between the circles of thick twigs, ribs of six branches are laid. They are braided according to a simple pattern - in a spiral. As soon as the tape approaches the edge of the hoop, it is wrapped around it and continued in the opposite direction. As you move away from the finished handles, you will need to add new ribs.

Weaving baskets, dishes, furniture and other items from willow twigs is an interesting and exciting activity. Having tried it once, you will hardly be able to stop, and your hands will naturally reach out to you. new job, and creative plans and ideas will arise in your head.

In the old days, items woven from wicker were widely used in subsistence farming. Today, weaving willow baskets is an art, a hobby, and a business. An experienced craftsman has perfected the process of making baskets, and the product itself costs a lot of money. Colorful, bright, baskets of various shapes are used as decorative elements. But there are also models that are used in everyday life.

Wicker weaving is a very simple craft that you can master on your own. Hand-made baskets, vases, and boxes will take their rightful place in the interior, and, most importantly, they will be in a single copy. Made by hand, they will please the eye, warm the soul and keep the warmth of human hands.

Necessary material for weaving wicker baskets

To weave willow baskets, long and straight rods without knots or growths are used. The best branches are no more than one centimeter thick, which bend well and do not crack at the bends. Willow branches with orange, red or purple bark are suitable for crafting.

Craftsmen who master the skill of wicker weaving prepare the material themselves. The best time the winter season is recognized for collecting basket willow or early spring. To work, the rods are soaked and then dried.

Uncleaned and peeled twigs are used for the craft. Unpeeled branches are used to weave simple baskets for home use, hedges, and gazebos. The purified material is used for decorative items: flowerpots, boxes, trays, furniture. Over time, the peeled branches acquire a golden hue, which will give the future product a special charm.

The following tools are used in the work:

awl;
sharp knife;
pinch;
columns.

The process of weaving a willow basket

For the convenience of weaving products from willow twigs, you should familiarize yourself with the terminology:

knitting needles - straight rods diverging from the center in the form of rays, from which the bottom of the basket is woven;
racks - upward-curved knitting needles necessary to form the walls;
knitting or weaving - rods that braid the knitting needles and posts.

The classic process of weaving a willow basket begins with the base. Then the spokes are bent upward and the walls are created. At the final stage, the edge of the product is formed, and lastly, the handle.

When weaving the bottom, you need to tighten the branches that go around the knitting needles as tightly as possible. In this case, it is not advisable to move the spokes up or down. This technique will ensure the quality and reliability of the basket.

It is advisable for beginners to start weaving willow baskets with round-shaped products, using the simple weaving method.

Types and methods of weaving a willow basket with your own hands

The standard pattern for weaving a basket is circular in one direction (from left to right). The left twig acts as the working branch. But before weaving willow baskets, you should learn weaving techniques.

There are basic wicker weaving techniques:

If the basket is woven along a closed contour, it is necessary to use an odd number of posts. This is due to the fact that on one turn the rod wraps around the stand from the outside, and on the next turn from the inside. Otherwise the circle will not close.

This technique involves using branches of the same length and thickness. This will create the same number of rows, which will be reflected in the even walls of the basket.

There are many ways to weave, but they all use basic wicker techniques. Beginners who have never practiced such a craft should watch a video on the Internet on how to weave willow baskets. And in order for the products to turn out smooth and beautiful, it is better to practice making simple objects - souvenirs, pots, boxes.